When you look back at the names who brought the title back to Chelsea in 2014/15, the name ‘John Obi Mikel’ isn’t exactly the first to spring to mind among Jose Mourinho’s star-studded ranks at Stamford Bridge.

Whilst the likes of Eden Hazard, John Terry and Cesc Fabregas stole the show on a seemingly week-to-week basis in the Premier League, Chelsea’s 28-year-old Nigerian midfielder just didn't look like he belonged among such talented company.

It’s not a case of Mikel being a bad player for Chelsea as such, for the once promising newcomer has certainly had his uses for the Blues throughout the years, but as the seasons are beginning to pile up with very little actual progress being made on the player's part – perhaps the combative midfield man may be outstaying his welcome at Stamford Bridge ahead of the 2015/16 campaign.

So then, should Mourinho seek to replace the long-term Blues bench-warmer in the run up to the new season, or is the relationship between John Obi Mikel and Chelsea Football Club actually one based on some pretty amicable grounds?

Well, seeing as the Nigerian international currently goes down as Chelsea’s longest serving player after captain John Terry, it would in-fact seem that Mikel does hold a seemingly well-defined role at the club after all. One way or another, the African star has been somewhat relied upon during his time in west London – even if first-team outings only come along once in a blue moon for the deep-lying centre-midfielder.

Despite receiving some pretty serious interest from Turkish outfit, Fenerbahce this summer, it seems for now at least, that John Obi Mikel is willing to see out the remaining two years of his contract safely within the confides of Stamford Bridge. He may not be offered quite the level of first-team action he initially expected upon first joining up with the Blues, yet the chance to stay put with the English champions next season ultimately remains an alluring option for the midfielder.

He already knows the club inside out after finishing nine whole seasons at Stamford Bridge, his relationship with the manager is likely based on a great deal of trust and understanding, and he can certainly still pop up with the odd notable appearance here and there. Mikel also has vast experience of playing in Europe and on the international scene, which certainly boosts his overall value in the modern era.

However, when it comes to actually doing the business out on the pitch for Chelsea, the 28-year-old Super Eagles favourite has hardly managed to impress in the Premier League. When playing for Nigeria in the World Cup or African Cup of Nations, Mikel often looks assured, cool and composed in the middle of the park, with a distinct ability to actually boss proceedings for his side now and then.

Yet when playing for Chelsea in the ever-competitive English top flight – the determined centre-midfielder simply looks a different player. Whilst at Stamford Bridge, John Obi Mikel has shown himself to be consistently slow on the ball and technically average, his ability to break-up play is limited even at the best of times – and as for the necessity to offer versatility for Mourinho in the Premier League, the player himself hasn’t even come close to providing such a service.

Mikel is ultimately a ‘water-carrier’ type player, whose overall contribution in week-to-week club affairs is seriously lacking. Playing alongside some top world class talent during his time at Stamford Bridge has certainly served to make the Nigerian look a lot better than he actually is, yet because even that particular effect is beginning to run dry for Blues fans watching Mikel nowadays, the Chelsea no.12 simply offers very little for Jose Mourinho going forward.

However, as the defensive midfield man could hardly justify a meaningful transfer fee, Chelsea may as well ultimately keep their hands on John Obi Mikel for now. Jose Mourinho’s side obviously need to contend with a whole host of both domestic and European fixtures with every new campaign – so the need to keep numbers up behind the scenes at Stamford Bridge certainly has to be held in high regard going into 2015/16.

So then, whilst the player himself has never really amounted to much at Chelsea throughout the years, John Obi Mikel will likely remain at Blues player until a truly suitable replacement is sourced by the club later on down the line. For now though, his presence within Jose Mourinho’s squad seemingly remains intact.